The slayings could have been prevented had Myles Sanderson been declared a dangerous offender. Did prosecutors consider applying for it? opinion saskatchewan crime
, who said that the Parole Board of Canada failed the community: “The parole board let this young fellow out … this tragedy could have been avoided.”We deliver the local news you need in these turbulent times on weekdays at 3 p.m.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc.
While many people believe offenders should serve their entire sentences in prison, statutory release plays a critical role in reintegration of the offender into the community. While statutory release isn’t parole, offenders are placed under the watchful eye of a parole officer and are subject to various conditions, such as obtaining education or employment and maintaining sobriety.
After all, if his release was revoked, he would have spent, at most, less than a year in prison before his sentence was completed. He would then have been released without the supervision of a parole officer and without conditions. For high risk offenders like Sanderson, statutory release is therefore often preferable to serving their entire sentences.
The slayings could have been prevented had Sanderson been declared a dangerous offender. The Criminal Code permits a court to make aif the offender displays a pattern of serious violent offences and is unlikely to be inhibited by normal standards of behavioural restraint. However, while preventing future tragedies, a DO designation can only be made after a tragedy has already occurred, after an offender has already victimized people. And Sanderson had victimized a number of people before the stabbings had occurred.